“To construct this dangerous path, I now find out that the city wants to take property from me and others in the area by eminent domain,” the 81-year-old Pompey said. “Meetings were conducted pertaining to this Geyser Road project without any attempt to notify private property owners who would be affected by the outcome. Only four days before a public hearing [which took place Jan. 17] concerning taking of property by eminent domain, the property taking specialist hired by the city dropped off a notice at my house.”

Pompey was speaking during the public comment portion of the City Council meeting.

The city wants to use some of the private property that Pompey and other residents on the north side of Geyser Road own for the 2-mile, multi-purpose trail.

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The public comment period lasted nearly 30 minutes, and most residents supported the proposed Geyser Road trail.

Stephen Rodriguez said he bicycles often.

“I’m here simply to support the proposed trail on Geyser Road. Through the efforts of many people over many decades, that the trail has been proposed and is ready to come to fruition,” said Rodriguez. “My viewpoint is safety. I ride on Geyser Road, although I do it hesitantly. I’m a strong rider. I’m aware of my surroundings. I am intimidated by Geyser Road and it’s certainly not a place for families who ride on the road. The trail is not perfect, but it will be a vast improvement to carry people from Geyser Crest down to and across Route 50.”

In total about eight residents spoke in support of the proposed Geyser Road trail, saying it would have a positive influence on the city.

Pompey said he has a petition opposing the trail that has nearly 100 signatures.

On Tuesday, he spoke about the potential dangers of the proposed trail.

Pompey spoke about the potential danger of the proposed trail.

“This path is a very bad idea and will encourage kids to ride bikes on the busiest commercial stretch of road in the city,” said Pompey. “Kids will be riding on a path that runs headlong into on coming traffic creating a serious situation.”

Another resident voiced her concerns, saying this is an issue of public safety. She said with the heavy flow of traffic, she believes a trail five feet from a heavily used road should not even be considered and should be of great concern for parents.

Pompey’s representative, Karl Sleight, agreed that normally a bike trail would be a celebrated achievement, but not under this circumstance.

“I think that most people can agree that bike paths and pedestrian paths in general are a very good idea to the extent they are in good and smart places [and] I think the citizens of this city would commend the council,” said Sleight. “But this segment of the path is very, very dangerous [and the city’s] own traffic study that [the city’s] engineers did indicated that the accident rate on that stretch of road is four times greater than the state average.”

The city voted unanimously to accept the Eminent Domain Procedure Law determination and findings, but the city does not have to use eminent domain for the properties on Geyser Road.

Bradley Birge, administrator of planning & economic development, said if the property owners and the city come to an agreement without eminent domain, it’s unnecessary to move forward that way.

Mayor Joanne Yepsen summarized the findings as follows: the project serves a specific public benefit available to a broad number of city residents, including nearly 20 percent of the city’s total population and nearly 25 percent of the city youth; the project has been designed with input and guidance by the state Department of Transportation; this project has complied with the requisite federal National Environmental Policy Act and State Environmental Quality Review Act process; the project will enhance the city’s compliance with federal AVA regulations; the project enjoys broad and enthusiastic support from residents, businesses, representatives of the local, regional and state and federal levels; and the project will not have a substantial negative impact on the aesthetics of the area and on the environment.

Mayor Yepsen said she understands there are some concerns and safety issues that people are worried about.

“We certainly don’t want to proceed with eminent domain if we don’t have to,” said Yepsen.

Commissioner of Finance Michelle Madigan echoed Yepsen’s sentiment.

“Eminent domain isn’t anything that any municipal, town, village, state really ever wants to enter into if they don’t have to,” said Madigan. “...We feel that, at this point, this is a last resort.”

In an interview Wednesday, Sleight said he sent a letter to the city Wednesday morning, trying to find some common ground.

“We would love an opportunity to work on some of the issues and we hope to set up a meeting soon,” said Sleight.